…My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges… (Heb 12:4-7, 11-15)
God is good, all the time.
Here we are, friends. In the first reading we are told to accept God's discipline. “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” The same exhortation is found in Job (Cf. 5:17) and Proverbs (Cf. 3:11).
Our contemporary notion of discipline, which is about using punishment to ensure obedience, tends to cause some Christians to get offended and resistant to the idea of accepting God's discipline. Why should a loving God discipline us?
We must distinguish God's discipline from spiritual discipline. God's discipline happens on two levels: the first is the instructional level, where his teaching/word may go against our will and desire. The second is on the action level, where he permits trials, challenges, illness, losses of life and property to come our way. Spiritual discipline, however, involves self-control and sacrifices we voluntarily exercise for spiritual growth like prayer, fasting and giving to others, attending church activities.
God's discipline is always rooted in some spiritual capital dimensions such as love, faith, hope, courage, joy, happiness, blessings, and peace and enhances them. How can we prove that we have faith if no situations pushed us to our limit? And how can we show that we are obedient to God if no word of his challenged our selfish choices? Yet, we know how many people had demonstrated deep faith, love and courage, and kindness when trials and pains have engulfed them.
Take "Captain Tom," of Britain, who died yesterday at 100 after he walked to raise $45 million for the National Health Service to support COVID-19 treatment. What about Saint Blaise, who suffered so much for the sake of his faith, and yet, it was in jail that he miraculously healed a young boy, something we remember about him more than anything he lived for? In these people, we notice that even the COVID-19 pandemic or persecution can be understood as the Lord's discipline to bring out the good, love, faith, courage, and peace in us.
Prayer blessings: Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in my daily situations. Please help me to accept your discipline and grow through all that happen in my life. Amen.